Anne Ritchie Waring

Anne Ritchie Ware Waring, 98, died peacefully at her Ware’s Wharf (Dunnsville) home on November 5, 2022. The widow of William Justin Waring, she was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1924, the only child of the Rev. Dr. Ritchie Ware and Cornelia Frost Ware. She is survived by her two daughters, Anne Frost Waring of Glen Allen, and Elizabeth Grey Waring and husband, Jack R. Bryan of Virginia Beach, as well as nieces, nephews and other family members. She also leaves behind her devoted cat, Annabelle.

Known always by her double name, Anne Ritchie, she spent her early years in Beckley, West Virginia, where her father was the minister of the First Christian Church from 1926-1942. As a child and young woman, she enjoyed spending many summers with her extended family at Ware’s Wharf. Anne Ritchie graduated from Randolph Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College) in Lynchburg, in the class of 1946 with a major in English and a minor in political science. In the fall of 1946, she accepted a job at Virginia Electric and Power Company (now Dominion Energy) in the personnel department as an employment interviewer, followed by a position with the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association as Assistant Editor at the Virginia Pharmacist magazine.

After her marriage in 1954 to William Justin Waring, she came to live at his ancestral home, “Fairview.” Her husband died in 1985. Anne Ritchie’s greatest interests were in the cultural arts, especially music, literature and drama. She volunteered for 17 years at the Essex County Public Library, was active in the Rappahannock Concert Association, and was an early supporter of the Essex County Museum.

Anne Ritchie was a long-time member of Rappahannock Christian Church, Dunnsville, and had the honor of being chosen as the first woman Elder in the 175-year-old organization’s history. Known for her beautiful alto singing voice, she was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter and friend to many, and a gentle and gracious spirit who was loved by all who knew her.

The family wishes to thank all her caregivers for their faithful service during her final years. A celebration of Anne Ritchie’s life will be held on Sunday, November 13, at 2:30 pm at Rapphannock Christian Church, Dunnsville. At her request, an ice cream social will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Essex County Public Library, 117 N. Church Street, Tappahannock, VA 22560, or the Essex County Museum and Historical Society, P.O. Box 404, Tappahannock, VA 22560.